Social innovation and social-ecological development in the Cerrado: the case of agroforestry systems in the Federal District, Brazil

Abstract

Global demands for food and feed result in deforestation and consequent social-ecological disturbances across (especially) the Global South. In the Brazilian Cerrado, only 19.8% of natural vegetation remains undisturbed, owing to agribusiness operations. Concerns around the need for more sustainable land-uses hence stir debates in scientific and policy-making arenas. Among these debates, the potentials of agroforestry systems (AFS) have been brought to the fore. AFS have proven to promote more sustainable human–environment interactions, enhance rural livelihoods and partially offset the negative impacts from the loss of natural vegetation in the Cerrado. Uncovering the elements that influence AFS’ functioning and outcomes is key for understanding these strategic roles. The aim of this paper is to analyze the mechanisms enabling and hindering the role of AFS as a sustainable development strategy in the Cerrado. More specifically, we analyze the social-ecological interrelationships that shape socially innovative agroforestry practices in the Hydrological Basin of Ribeirão Pipiripau, Federal District. Our results show the key role of socially innovative agroforestry in counteracting social-ecological disturbances that characterize the Cerrado. Importantly, our case study contradicts theses positing that increased poverty results in the increased degradation of natural resources. Nonetheless, our results also highlight the complex socio-political structures threatening—and hindering the up-scaling of—the sustainability of the AFS under study. We stress the need for global-to-local policies and practices aiming at enhancing relationships between food and different layers of society.